Studies on the Persistence and Degradation of Endosulfan in the Soil Ecosystem of Tropical Climate

ABSTRACT

The meteorological, adaphic, physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties have been observed at the experimental site.  A detailed study of sub-soil inhabiting micro and macroarthropod population was  made with the application of Endosulfan at lower and higher doses as well as at different time  intervals with definite distances (i.e.1'.0ft;1.6';2.0';2.6';3.0'; 3.6' ; 4.0' ;5.0';6.0';8.0';10.0';12.0'; and 13.0' ft;) and different time periods  from  the  time  of  toxicant  application, different  time  intervals (48 hrs;6th;9th;15th;21st;30th;45th;60th; and 290 days) recorded. Maximum population of microarthropod fauna was found after 45 days at 4.0ft. distance while least population after  60 days at 6.0ft. distance was recorded. A significant increase of this population was found after 290 days at 8.0ft. distance. A three (3) fold increase was found after 290 days at 8.0ft. Further variation in the population in relation to time and distance are discussed. Among the microarthropod fauna the highest population was that of Acarina found at 15 cm. core depth.  A total absence of collembolan population was found at several times clearly showing high susceptibility of the population to 'Endosulfan'. A  maximum of coleopteron population was found on 6th day at 1.6 ft. and a total  elimination of  population at lower dose of 'Endosulfan was  noticed at every point of study. The Myriapoda population was maximum at 8.0 ft. distance 290 days after the treatment; at other points of observation Myriapoda population was insignificant in the soil.

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